Racing is unpredictable: Narain Karthikeyan

The death of Formula One driver Jules Bianchi has sent shockwaves through the racing circuit as well as the world, with eminent sportspersons paying their condolences about the shock premature passing.

Bianchi, 25, had been in a coma since last October after his Marussia car collided with a recovery vehicle in wet conditions during the closing stages of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One group CEO, stated: “It was so sad to hear the news about Jules. We are now going to miss a very talented driver and a really nice person. We must not let this ever happen again.”

“I got this terrible news a little while ago and it shows again that it can never bullet-proof a racing car, even though safety standards have improved by leaps and bounds in the last two decades. Unfortunately, it didn’t look good from day one in Jules’ case,” said Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first F1 driver. He also urged everyone to be strong in this situation. “As I said, you cannot be safe when you are doing speeds in excess of 300 kmph. You have just got to respect the reality of the sport,” he added.Meanwhile, football legend David Beckham has taken to Instagram to offer his own personal tribute to the late Frenchman.

Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton also offered his condolences to Jules Bianchi’s family by tweeting:

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has also taken to Twitter to pay tribute to his fellow driver by tweeting,“extremely sad to hear that jules bianchi passed away. thinking about jules and his family. #RIPJules”

India’s former F1 driver Karun Chandhok said: “Goodbye Jules... One of those great ‘what could’ve been’ careers like Tom Pryce, Francois Cevert or Gilles Villeneuve before him. RIP Jules.” Bianchi is survived by parents Philippe and Christine and siblings Tom and Melanie. The family have asked that their privacy is respected during this difficult time, while they try to come to terms with their loss.

“No words can describe what his family and the sport have lost. All I can say it was a pleasure knowing and racing you,” said Bianchi’s 2014 team mate Max Chilton.